Attic

[mrcooley]

Currently - my attic access is in a closet - and a 12x16" hole.

My attic fan has not been run in over a year - and only once since owning my home - due to my allergies.

I was considering putting in the fold down attic stairs/ladder in place of the attic fan. This would double the amount of storage I have - once I put 3/4" plywood down in the attic and insulate the crap out of the ceiling. I'm guess I have a R rating of -10 currently. This would also give me access to be able to run my fart fan that I need in my master - as well as installing ceiling fans where they need to be...etc etc.

Any thoughts from anyone?

[black797]

What are you asking? It sounds like a good idea to me...

[Corners]

Just check where you want to install it. Pull down stairs have to be installed parallel with the ceiling joists.

[mrcooley]

Looks like it is running parallel - however the opening is going to have to be changed in size.

I was more looking for an answer of - "Don't do it - you will lower the value of your home by not having an attic fan." or "Do it, attic fans don't affect value if you are increasing your storage area."

[beaterKU]

In my opinion, you are not going to loose any value by removing the attic fan. This is an easy frame out and install the new ladder. Not that big of a project.

Make sure to have proper airflow between the roof sheathing and the back side of the insulation or you are going to have a mold factory. You need a run from your soffit vents to your ridge vents. Also, since you are going to essentially turn this into another room of the house, you need to turn this into a conditioned space.

Go for it!

[redhot916spd]

just a thought, smashing the insulation with plywood loses r value but its a trade off I totally get , when you need storage you need it!

[mrcooley]

just a thought, smashing the insulation with plywood loses r value but its a trade off I totally get , when you need storage you need it!

Another thought - HD sells this plastic mesh snap together floor for attics so it can breathe. Would this work out better?

[Hibidi-Shibidi]

I've looked at putting the ladder in too just to be able to get up there and do things like lighting and ceiling fans. The girls wouldn't have it though. Says it creeps them out. So I too, am relegated to climbing my big ass through a 12x16" hole as well.

Personally, I would look for another place to put it in instead of removing the attic fan. I love the attic fan and am able to leave the A/C off for a lot of the summer because of it.

[doomi]

I've never thought about doing this, but I'm considering it now as well. We have ceiling access through one of the closets and it's a fucking bitch to get just myself up there, let alone something of a decent size or weight.

We have lived in the house two years and have never used the attic fan.

[redhot916spd]

Another thought - HD sells this plastic mesh snap together floor for attics so it can breathe. Would this work out better?

sounds like it would as long as it can leave the insulation fluffy? do you have a link I am not aware of this product?

[black797]

At my parents house they cut out a hole in the garage for attic access. We still had the 12X16 hole in the bedroom closet. Is that an option?

[mrcooley]

http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Materials-Ceilings-Attics-Attic-Decking/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg1Zaqv4/h_d2/Navigation?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Jeff - unfortunately not. I'm in a split - so my bedrooms are above the garage.

[redhot916spd]

http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Materials-Ceilings-Attics-Attic-Decking/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg1Zaqv4/h_d2/Navigation?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Jeff - unfortunately not. I'm in a split - so my bedrooms are above the garage.

I'll ask the instructors at school when I get back thurs. My first instinct is no because even if laid out on top of the joists it would still smash the insulation. Again its the trade off though you need the storage!

[mrcooley]

Awesome - thanks!

[beaterKU]

When you compact loose fill, it lowers its R-value.

[redhot916spd]

my apologies I f'ed up and forgot to ask, I will get this done next week , family bullshit on my mind

[mrcooley]

No worries - I'm the last guy that will be climbing in the attic in single digit temps.

[doomi]

my apologies I f'ed up and forgot to ask, I will get this done next week , family bullshit on my mind


Seems to me that it will compress the fill the same amount as plywood would. Only difference is that it is still breathable.

That's just my guess though.

So, if you were to try to do this the best possible way.... would you remove all of the loose fill insulation and bring in some insulation rolls? Or how would you do it?

[redhot916spd]

Seems to me that it will compress the fill the same amount as plywood would. Only difference is that it is still breathable.

That's just my guess though.

So, if you were to try to do this the best possible way.... would you remove all of the loose fill insulation and bring in some insulation rolls? Or how would you do it?

My personal experience is the depth of the insulation creates the higher insulating factor. I have almost 3 foot of depth of white blown fiberglass in my attic and it is very effective in keeping my energy costs down. I have what I consider junk 80% efficient gas furnaces that are maybe 10 seer , one is a 70k and the other a 100k btu units and my gas bill is averaged at 112.22 cents(just paid it) and we have a 4k+ sq/ft home. I would recommend Gale(that's who did ours) insulation. Last I checked they did the work and material for about what it costs if you buy the material and do it yourself from HD.



That bill includes 2 hot water heaters also